Galeno scored an incredible goal late into stoppage time in FC Porto’s Champions League round-of-16 match against Arsenal on Wednesday, giving the team an unexpected 1-0 win.
The dull match ended in a draw until the fifth minute of extra time, when Galeno sent the Estadio Do Dragao crowd into frenzy with an unbelievable strike past David Raya.
Throughout a cagey match, Arsenal, who had scored 21 goals in their previous five Premier League games, were oddly quiet on offense and could not manage to muster an attempt on goal.
This was the first Champions League game since Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in March 2011 that the team has not had a shot on goal.
They put up a strong enough defense, but they may come to rue their lack of will as Galeno handed Porto the advantage before the second leg on March 12 in London.
Arsenal’s seven previous Champions League campaigns have all ended in the round of 16, therefore they are looking to go to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
When you’re not winning, Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, said, “We had to manage the game better.” “We need to make a few adjustments since we didn’t play with much menace or aggressiveness in the latter third. We’re capable of more.”As of right now, we will need to defeat our opponent at the Emirates if we are to go to the quarterfinals.”
Fortunately for Arsenal, Porto has a dismal away record against English teams, having conceded 11 goals in three trips to the Emirates without ever scoring a goal.
However, the thirty-time Portuguese winners will go with optimism.
Throughout the whole game, Arteta’s team maintained possession. However, other from a few headers from corners by Kai Havertz and William Saliba, they never really seemed to be in the scoring zone.
After a thrilling event in the 21st minute, in which Galeno hammered a shot against the far post and, when the ball came back to him quickly, he sent the rebound agonizingly wide of the other post, Porto gained confidence.
Arsenal’s goal threats were easily handled by Porto thanks to the 40-year-old Pepê, who is the oldest player to participate in a Champions League knockout stage. England attacker Bukayo Saka remained remarkably quiet.
Evanilson drove a shot at Raya just before the half, giving Porto another opportunity to threaten.
Arsenal was unable to establish any rhythm against its cunning hosts in the second half, which was even less thrilling than the first.
The greatest, however, was left for last when Galeno took advantage of a lost ball to go to the outside of the penalty area, looked up, and bent a shot past Raya.
Declan Rice, an Arsenal midfielder, described it as a “kick in the teeth.” “We have to change our approach in the home leg and give it absolutely everything.”
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/
Porto wins the UCL first leg at the last second, shocking Arsenal.
by